Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays

We wish you a Merry Christmas. This year was our first year as a little family in our own home on Christmas morning. We had a wonderful day as we celebrated with our three little angels. 2008 was a blink of an eye and yet we were able to truly take our time to enjoy our family in multiple ways throughout the year. We can only hope that 2009 proves to be another year filled with smiles, giggles, hugs, fun times, and the three best friends little sisters ever were.

We will miss you, puppies...

We have had a wonderful time for nine weeks with our beautiful puppies. Four were taken to their new homes a couple weeks ago. Five were picked up on Christmas Eve to be presents under the tree for excited little children. It was so much fun to be a part of so many families Christmas' this year.

We will never forget our pups. Last night Kennedie was in the basement with Grandpa Mogle and the two of them were watching "Where The Red Fern Grows". I don't know what Grandpa was thinking on that one. The lion killed the dog and Kenna turned to him and said, "Grandpa, all my puppies are GONE", and just started bawling. He was cuddling her when I got to her. She was unconsolable and kept crying over and over to me, "the cute little puppy died".

Thankfully, Santa brought both Reagan and Kenna a stuffed puppy of their own to love now. Reagan has named hers Madi, and Kenna's is Cutie Pie. We are moving on... but we will miss our little furballs.

Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow.

The snow has been falling now for a week and we love it. I hear people say a lot that they don't like the snow, or that they don't like driving in the snow. Who does like driving in the snow? Our little family loves the snow. Yesterday we took advantage of the weather and did a little morning sledding. This is not an easy task for two little girls when five puppies are trying to steal their mittens and hats.

Reagan felt like a pro after sledding with her Primary class last weekend. She decided to show her sister the ropes. Since we all know that Kennedie is fearless she took to sledding with great finesse. The two of them make me smile because they are such good friends. Next year you will see Brooklyn out on the hill with them!

The Polar Express

I realize that it has been a long time since our last post. November is generally Mom's busiest month of the year and 2008 was no exception with a trip to California, Reagan's six birthday, my twenty eighth birthday, selling puppies, and hosting our first Thanksgiving. I will try to elaborate on these fun times, but for now let's just pick up in December with our trip on The Polar Express!

We boarded the Polar Express and the fun began. We were served Hot Chocolate and Mrs. Clause's cookies. Mmmmm. The conductor came around and punched our tickets. The Elves came and wrote down what each child wanted so that they could pass the message on to Santa. Then, as we waited to approach the North Pole the Elves told many Christmas jokes, we read the story of The Polar Express, and we had a "Ho Ho Ho Merry Christmas" contest. Reagan did a great job and everyone on the train agreed that the kids won the contest.

We reached the North Pole and saw Santa waving to us. We also saw all of the Elves homes lit up with Christmas cheer. On the return trip Santa came through the train and brought a bell to each child. Kenna wasn't excited about this until Santa leaned over to her and told her that her bell came from Dasher. He told her that he counted on Dasher to lead the sleigh
when Rudolph didn't and that her bell was very special.

On the return trip Mrs. Clause also came through the car and passed out the recipe for her special cookies. Then we sang carols until we reached the train depot and took our tired girls home. To say it was a magical evening is an understatement.

I believe and hear the bell still.